manicotti

Corleone’s: A Menu You Can’t Refuse

March 28, 2014 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

The Manicotti Dinner at Corleone’s is a “Must Eat” (click to enlarge)

“Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. ” – Don Corleone “The Godfather”

Well, The Big Ragu & Crew are here to do a service for you. Today, we share with you a place you may not know about. A kitchen that produces some great pizza, pasta and more. In other words, let the Food Adventure peeps be your consigliere on this one.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Corleone’s has two Locations, one at 725 Lyons Rd. and the original at 966 Patterson Rd.

— Homemade dough everyday. This ensures not only fresh pizzas, but tasty pasta dinners.

— Amazing Specialty Pizzas. These are mafia boss of the menu. Deluxe toppings, and themed pizzas like the Taco Pie, Greek Pie, Steak Pie will make your day. There are many more unique creations with white or red pizza sauces.

— Calzones and Hoagie Sandwiches are the dark horse on the menu, and will “whack” your tastebuds.

— Unique menu items that only New Yorkers typically see, like Pepperoni Rolls and Sausage Rolls.

Great specialty pizzas like”Buffalo Chicken Pizza” at Corleone’s

— Carryout is available, and they have Delivery Service as well.

MUST EATS:

— MANICOTTI: Served piping hot , this meal is liberal on cheese and sauce. It is absolutely delicious, and it is the Big Ragu’s favorite choice on the menu.

— TACO PIE: Corleone’s serves a great version of taco pizza. The fresh lettuce, olives and tomatoes make all the difference. Send your hitmen in for one of these babies.

— BUFFALO CHICKEN PIZZA: Tasty, tangy and even a kid pleaser. Again a good version of a unique pizza spin.

— WINGS: We were super surprised at how good the breaded wings were. They are crunchy, crispy and ready for dipping in your favorite sauce. Best of all, they are cooked all the way through !

— SPINACH CALZONE: Served with marinara, the key is again in the fresh dough. Filled with ricotta cheese (like a real calzone should be), it is a flavorful, filling meal.

Honorable Mention:

The Eggplant Hoagie is a good sub, capesh? Did we mention it is a monster? So split one with your favorite wiseguy and see what all the fuss is about.

The Wedgie: Want a Food Adventure in a plate? Try a Wedgie! No it is not the “grundy” you used to give your classmates. It is a calzone with no ricotta cheese or tomato sauce. It is cooked and then topped with lettuce and onions. Call it an Italian version of the mini-super burrito and fagheddaboutit.

Surprisingly Good Wings at Corleone’s !

One warning, if you have a large group coming to Corleone’s, you definitely want to call ahead so they are properly prepared for your group of friends or paisans. Also, the wine and beer selections are limited, so beware if you are looking for something special to drink.

Now “youse guys got” some good direction from The Big Ragu on a little known secret. What’s not a secret is that practically all of the pizzas we have tried, during our numerous visits have been great. From the top your own, to the seafood pizza, it is up to you to find your own favorite. All we can do is lead you to the good stuff. Trust us, it’s the best pizza and pasta spot that you’ve never heard of. It is definitely a menu you can’t refuse…

Want more Food Adventure fun from these 2 goombahs? Then join other Dayton foodies and “like” The Big Ragu, Chef House, and Hungry Jax on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Make sure you check out our photo gallery from our Food Adventures to Corleone’s !

[flagallery gid=81]

The Food Adventures Crew Discover Great Italian Tastes at Arthur’s

March 14, 2013 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Delicious Shrimp Scampi Dinner at Arthur’s

Good pasta, pizza and more is what ‘wowed’ us at Arthur’s Restaurant. This Italian eatery is located in a spot that has housed many restaurants, Heck, we remember when this building at 5900 Bigger Road was a Pizza Hut in the 70’s. We hope it breaks the trend and becomes a mainstay. Arthur’s came with glowing recommendations from many friends, so we knew this locally owned restaurant deserved a spot on our Food Adventure hit list. We checked it out over and over, and we have never had a bad meal. Maybe that is because the chef, Louie, has been cooking for 33 years. He even spent 2 years in Italy, and 8 years in New York City honing his skills in various kitchens. The waitress we typically have for dinner is experienced, friendly and couldn’t be more helpful. She is a star. The lunch staff is attentive and always has some suggestions.

Manicotti, Baked to Perfection

So, you gotta try their food, but where to start? How about the Calamari appetizer? It is lightly fried and full of great seafood flavor. Share it with a friend and you will devour it in no time like we did. May we also suggest the Mussels in garlic wine sauce? We are talking Italian old school here. Another appetizer that you do not see many places in Ohio is Steamed Clams. Catch them if they are in season!

Many of the entrees come with a salad, and the house Italian dressing is our favorite. Then there are the rolls. These lovehandle causing little bites are irresistible. They are a cross between bread and a crescent roll, and are lightly dusted with butter and Parmesan cheese on top. Try and use your willpower, but it is futile, you will ask for more rolls. Let the battle of the bread begin.

Let’s talk pasta. If you love gourmet flavors and pasta dishes. At Arthur’s, he would suggest a winning entree of Shrimp Scampi. Large, garlic infused shrimp are perfectly sauteed and placed over linguini. The sauce is delicate with hints of butter, lemon, Parmesan cheese, basil and oregano. This dish is more than a few forkfulls, and may have you taking a to-go container.

Arthur’s Pizza: Magnifico !

The Big Ragu prefers the more traditional, tomato based or marinara sauce dishes. He found a favorite as well. It is the Manicotti dinner, which is simply exquisite. The entree is filling, yet one of the lighter tasting manicotti recipes that we have experienced. Served piping hot, these ricotta stuffed shells were baked and sauced with a light marinara. The finishing touch is covering in the manicotti with mozzarella cheese.

Two other specialties that we enjoy at Arthur’s are their Pizza and their Stuffed Rolls. Filling and cheesy on both counts. From the homemade crust, to the fresh ingredients, they have these menu items down pat. The pizzas are plentiful and they aren’t stingy on toppings. The same goes for the magnificent and large stuffed rolls. These picture perfect delights were eye-opening good.

Don’t forget their sandwiches! Arthur’s has one of the best Eggplant Parmesan Subs that we have ever eaten. The combination of the fresh bread, sauce, eggplant and cheese is a wonderland of taste. The sub will put a dent in your hunger, but not your wallet at $7.99. It even comes with a side salad or potato.

Want more to “mangia” (that means eat for you non-Italians)? There is a dessert at Arthur’s that is an absolute ‘must mangia.’ It is the homemade Tiramisu. Sliced like a pie, the taste is exceptional. The ladyfingers soaked in coffee liqueur matches the silky, whipped pudding foundation perfectly. If you miss getting a piece of this, we will have to call Tony Soprano on you.

Again, we share with you another little known jewel of the Miami Valley food scene. Locally owned with pride, Arthur’s is yet another place that keeps us “Foodies in our Forties.” On a side note, the same people who own Arthur’s own Palermo’s Restaurant on S. Dixie Drive. We only touched on the menu here, but other signature dishes include soups, open-faced seafood sandwiches and calzones. Arthur’s will also cater any event at 10% off the menu pricing.

If you have not yet visited Arthur’s, swing by for a $6.99 lunch deal. For that price you can keep coming back and trying various menu items. The dinner prices are reasonable, especially compared to other restaurants. Take advantage of their early bird special of buy one get one 1/2 off when you eat from 2pm-5:30pm. The dining room is casual, yet a perfect place to take a date for a romantic dinner. We were very impressed with what Arthur’s had to offer, and plan to come back many times. They do not have a website or Facebook page, so you will have to check them out in person. Take your own little private Food Adventure to Arthur’s and give this place a try. You just may see us in the dining room, eating like kings and practicing some off-color, Italian hand gestures !

Have you been to Arthur’s? If so, what were your thoughts on their menu? Please comment below and browse our photos from our Food Adventures to Arthur’s.

Are you a Facebook Foodie? Then”like” Food Adventures Facebook by clicking HERE !

[flagallery gid=30 name=Gallery]

Tale of Two Disalvo’s: Part 1 Mamma DiSalvo’s Ristorante

December 14, 2012 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

This is the first of a two part story on the DiSalvo Family businesses in Kettering. This week we focus on Mamma DiSalvo’s Ristorante. In July 1979, Rinaldo “Papa” DiSalvo Sr. and his wife Elena “Mamma” DiSalvo opened up an Italian Restaurant at 1375 E. Stroop Rd., and the Miami Valley has never been the same since. Still going strong, you can see Mamma and Papa in the dining area from time to time greeting customers. Their sons Nick and Bobby DiSalvo mostly manage the restaurant today. What is the secret of their success? Good, homemade Italian food and friendly service where you feel like family.

When you walk into Mamma DiSalvo’s Ristorante, you notice the small bar area and a cozy dining room. The aroma from the bustling kitchen is an appetizer in itself. This place fills up during peak times, so you may want to put your name in at the host desk and grab a drink at the bar while you wait for a table. They have a decent wine selection, and of course Italian beers like Peroni. The Big Ragu’s favorite, Moretti beer. Sometimes he even goes 70’s old school sometimes with Lambrusco.

There is so much to love about this true “Mom and Pop” place. The atmosphere makes you feel like you are on an Italian movie set in New York City. Casual, yet romantic, it is what an Italian Restaurant should be. The hosts, wait staff and family always greet you with with a happy disposition and unique personality. After you are seated, we suggest that you order an appetizer, because homemade Italian entrees take a while to prepare. Be patient, masterpieces take some time, and it is worth the wait for this Food Adventure.

Two of our favorite appetizers at Mamma DiSalvo’s are the fried calamari, and the antipasti plate which is a variety of cold cut meats, imported cheeses and peppers. You can’t go wrong here. A little known secret is that Mamma DiSalvos has some fantastic pizzas made with homemade dough. We like to mix it up once in a while by grabbing a pie once in a while instead of an Italian Dinner. Speaking of dinner, before each meal you are served a salad and these wonderful buttery bread loaves sprinkled with garlic powder. We warn you, the bread is beyond addicting. As for the salad, please trust us and get the house dressing which is a tangy mix of vinegar and oil, and served with shaved Parmesan cheese on top. It is a fantastic lead-in to the main course. As for any other dressings, fawghettabouit stick with the house.

Lemoncello

We have made many trips to this Italian paradise and have some favorites. Three favorite Food Adventure dishes: Linguini with Buttery Garlic Sauce and Mushrooms, Veal Marsala, or their Chicken Parmesan. All of these dishes feature sauces from scratch and pasta from scratch. The linguini and veal have lighter sauces, but the huge Chicken Parmesan dish guarantees a take home box.

The Big Ragu’s favorite entrees are the manicotti or the homemade gnocchi (pronounced ‘nyah-kee’) which is a potato dumpling pasta served with marinara sauce. He is also partial to the monstrous Panzarotti, which is a giant calzone stuffed with meatballs, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, sauce and cheese.

If you can manage after all of this good food, you have to take advantage of their desserts. Go light with a Lemoncello served in a flute glass. It is the perfect mix of sweet, tart and decorated with touches of whipped cream. Desserts that the Big Ragu enjoys are the cannoli and the tiramisu all of which can be enjoyed with cappuccino.

Mamma DiSalvo’s is not a restaurant it is an experience, wait… it is a true Italian Food Adventure ! Through years of hard work they have built a great reputation and now, when you think of Italian spots in Dayton, you think of Mamma DiSalvo’s. Visit them online for daily specials and menu details at www.mammadisalvo.com. If you have not tried this Dayton original, you are missing a gourmet experience. Stop in to the restaurant and EAT, or as they say “Mangia! Mangia!”

Look for Part 2 of the story next week…

Make sure you browse through the many incredible pictures in the gallery below from our various Food Adventures to Mamma DiSalvo’s. “Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE.

[flagallery gid=14 name=Gallery]